Baked Lemon-Butter Haddock in Foil

by Hannah Magee, RD on Aug 31, 2020 (updated Feb 14, 2023) 2 comments »

Baked in foil is my favourite way to cook haddock! The baked white fish emerges from the foil packet flaky and tender every time. And my homemade lemon-butter sauce is the perfect seasoning! Cook the haddock together in the foil with broccoli, and serve with roasted potatoes for a balanced and healthy meal.

Baked lemon butter haddock in foil with broccoli and lemon

Pat and I love making foil packet fish. It’s an easy, foolproof way to prepare white fish that definitely doesn’t skimp on flavour. We usually pair the fish and broccoli with roasted potatoes for a full, balanced meal.

I know that cooking fish and shellfish can be intimidating (it’s easy to over-cook!), but we’ve found that fish foil packets are great for entry-level cooks (like Pat) who don’t have a ton of experience preparing recipes with fish.

This recipe comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients, and the result is a delicious and healthy meal for any night of the week. Another great seafood recipe I love is my Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetables, which is just as quick and easy to make!

Baked lemon butter haddock in aluminum foil with broccoli and lemon

Nutrition Benefits of Fish:

As a dietitian, fish is one of my favourite protein-rich foods. Did you know that it’s recommended we eat at least 2 servings of fish per week?

This is because fish – particularly fatty fish – contains beneficial fatty acids called omega 3’s. While white fish like haddock and tilapia aren’t necessarily fatty, they do still contain some of those beneficial omega 3 fatty acids.

For example, haddock contains 166 milligrams of omega 3 fatty acids per serving and tilapia contains 186 milligrams per serving. The World Health Organization recommends that we consume approximately 200-500 milligrams of omega 3 fatty acids per day, so these are a great way to contribute to that goal.

Other Health Benefits of Baked Fish in Foil:

When we bake our fish in foil packets, we’re cooking vegetables right alongside it. So, it’s a hassle-free way to eat more veggies, too. I like to use broccoli in mine, which is high in fibre and vitamin C, and also a source of calcium and vitamin K.

Additionally, the vitamin C from the broccoli and the lemon juice in the sauce help to increase the body’s absorption of iron from the fish! Neat, right?

Baked lemon butter haddock on a plate with broccoli and roasted potatoes

How to Cook Baked Haddock in Foil:

You can actually cook this recipe in the oven or on the grill, which is great. Here’s how:

Create foil packets by tearing 3-4 pieces of aluminum foil that are about 8 inches long. Fold up the sides to create a pocket to hold the fish and broccoli.
To the packets, add broccoli florets, and drizzle or spray with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Divide fish into foil packets on top of the broccoli and sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika to your liking.
Make the easy lemon butter sauce. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt butter completely in the microwave. Add the juice of 1 lemon and minced garlic and whisk to combine.
Add lemon butter sauce into each of the foil packets with a spoon. Top the fish with lemon slices (optional) and fresh parsley. Seal the foil packets together by folding the ends over so there are no openings.
How to cook baked haddock in the oven: Place foil packets on a baking sheet and cook for 25-30 minutes in an oven preheated to 375F, or until fish flakes with a fork and broccoli is tender.
How to cook haddock on the grill: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Add foil packets and cook for 25-30 minutes until fish flakes with a fork and broccoli is tender.

Broccoli and haddock in tin foil packets

Broccoli and haddock in foil packets with lemon and parsley

Ingredient Substitutions and Suggestions:

I used Atlantic haddock for this recipe, but you can use another white fish such as cod or tilapia. This recipe would also be great with salmon, but the cooking times may vary.
I mentioned I like using broccoli as my vegetable, but other great vegetables that you can use in this recipe are bell peppers, zucchini, asparagus, and cauliflower.
I kept my herbs and spices simple with salt, pepper, and paprika, but feel free to mix things up and use other spices like lemon pepper, dill, thyme, or oregano.

What to Serve with Lemon Butter Fish in Foil?

To really round out the meal, I like to add a grain or starch alongside my white fish and veggies. I am a big fan of crispy roasted potatoes, but you could also do a pasta salad, or a grain like rice or quinoa. Here are some of my favourites to pair with this recipe: